Part 7/10:
The Industrial Revolution brought coal into widespread use, altering the landscape of energy production. The exploitation of coal, and eventually oil, represents one of the significant turning points in the Anthropocene. The rise of automobiles further exacerbated CO2 emissions, setting off a chain reaction that has continued to amplify environmental degradation. The increasing demand for oil has led to not only severe air pollution but also over 8 million deaths each year attributed to polluted air—a staggering public health crisis.